Introduction

Last update: Sept. 2016

HelioClim is a family of databases which comprise total (total radiation is equivalent to "spectrally integrated") solar irradiance and irradiation values available at ground level. HelioClim covers Europe, Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Atlantic Ocean and part of the Indian Ocean (see the Meteosat image on right, approx. -66° to 66° both in latitude and longitude).

Meteosat images are received from Eumetsat and processed to produce HelioClim databases, accessible via

HC1 and HC3 provide spectrally-integratedGlobal irradiance and irradiation on a horizontal surface (GHI) values. By using split algorithms, one may derive the direct and diffuse components from the global radiation on a horizontal plane. Once the direct and diffuse components known for a horizontal plane, one may derive the direct and diffuse components on any inclined plane.